Cats Sign JUCO Transfer

Cats Sign JUCO Transfer

12/22/2011 07:07 PM

Kory Brown, JUCO safety, signs with UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior-college safety Kory Brown has signed with Kentucky and will enroll in January, Coach Joker Phillips has announced.

Brown has spent the last two seasons at East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss. He incurred a knee injury during his freshman year in 2010 and redshirted in 2011. Brown can be added to UK’s 2011 signing class to make that a full class of 25.

Brown will participate in spring practice and has three seasons of eligibility at UK.

“I’m happy to have Kory as a part of our program and be able to come in and play in the spring,” Phillips said. “He’s a physical player with a strong desire to excel. He’ll compete at Winston Guy’s position (hybrid safety/linebacker) and if he gains about 10 pounds it’s possible we could take a look at him at linebacker. Kory comes from an athletic family with two brothers at Marshall.”

Here is a bio on Brown:

Kory Brown, Defensive Back, 6-0, 208, So-JC, Moncks Corner, S.C. (Berkeley/East Central CC) – Will have three years of eligibility at UK after redshirting 2011 while recovering from a knee injury … Spent the last two years at East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss. … Played four games at safety as a freshman until sustaining the injury … During those four games he made 26 tackles, caused two fumbles and intercepted a pass … The nation’s No. 69 junior-college player as ranked by 247 Sports, also the No. 11 juco player in Mississippi and the nation’s No. 3 safety … Coached by Brian Anderson … “Kory’s physical nature stands out,” Anderson said. “He gets off blocks well and is a big hitter. He’s also a quality young man of the finest character.” … Played high school football at Berkeley HS in Moncks Corner, S.C. … Three-year starter who played cornerback and safety … An all-region pick as a senior … Helped Berkeley to three strong runs in the state playoffs, including a state semifinal appearance his junior year and quarterfinal berths as a sophomore and senior … Played for the winning South team in the South Carolina North-South All-Star Game following his senior season … Coached at Berkeley by Jerry Brown … Berkeley’s defensive coordinator, Ed Moore, said, “Kory was the most instinctive player I’ve ever coached, always at the right place at the right time. He’s a very physical player, very good in run support as well as pass coverage. He’s also a great young man.” … In addition to football, participated in basketball, baseball, wrestling and track and field in high school … Advanced to the state meet in the high jump his senior year and had a best leap of six feet, four inches … Comes from an athletic family … An older brother, Omar, played football at Marshall and was a senior in 2011 … Another brother, Evan McKelvey, currently plays at Marshall … A cousin J.J. McKelvey, played at Clemson and is now playing arena football … Kory enjoys community service and has helped coach children in youth league sports.